Run through the fire
Pepperell’s defense and commitment leads them to the top of Region 7-AA.
Head coach Rick Hurst and the Pepperell Dragons have shown consistency this season as they have risen to the top of the Region 7-AA standings.
The old adage claims that “defense wins championships,” and Pepperell football has certainly claimed that this season.
While the Dragons’ wins haven’t been overly showstopping, they certainly have been effective.
Pepperell enters tonight’s game against Dade County as the best team in Region 7-AA, having won their first four region games by at least two touchdowns.
The main factors in the Dragons’ success have been a consistent defense and a group of players confident against pretty much anyone they play.
“We just want to approach it one game at a time,” Pepperell coach Rick Hurst said. “We had two goals to start the season — win the region championship and the county championship. Those are still intact. But we can’t do it looking ahead. We have to go one game at a time.”
Pepperell’s defense has not allowed more than 20 points in a game all season, and has allowed 8.5 points a game in region play.
The unit has shined brightest its last two games as it held Model and Rockmart to 14 and 10 points, respectively.
The Pepperell defense looks a lot like the offense, with guys like Hunter Chastain, Connor File, Jeremy Stewart / Rome News-Tribune Chandler and Tae Hammond consistently making tackles. With so many guys playing on both sides, a disciplined defense can come down to the coaching staff.
“I think it has been our staff. I think coach (Jeff) Hunnicutt has done a great job getting our guys ready to play,” Hurst said. “From the front to the secondary, we have been really good at reading our keys and doing a good job at tackling.”
FIRE
Two local volleyball teams remain in the playoff hunt, and both got the news they wanted on Thursday.
The GHSA released its rankings for the Class AA state quarterfinals with Coosa receiving the No. 2 seed and Rockmart getting No. 3. Both teams host quarterfinal matches this Saturday, with Coosa playing Rabun County at 5 p.m. and Rockmart playing Jordan at noon.
This is the third straight year the Coosa Lady Eagles (39-9) have made the quarterfinals, but the first in which they will host. Coach Nic Hann and his team played highly regarded opponents all season in hopes of getting a top-four seed and staying home.
“This summer when we made our goals, one of them was to not only make the quarterfinal but to host,” Hann said. “It’ll be nice to stay home and play in front of our fans, so we’re excited.”
Like Coosa, Rabun County (20-18) won its area championship, going undefeated in Area 4-AA.
But like they have all season, Hann and his squad will focus on themselves more than their opponents.
“The last few days at practice we have talked about doing the little things and remembering the fundamentals,” Hann said. “As long as the little things are fixed, we don’t have to worry about the big issues, and that’s been our focus this week.”
Rockmart (21-11-3) is coming off a dramatic fiveset win on the road against Harlem on Wednesday night, winning the final game by only four points. The Lady Jackets finished third in Area 3-AA, behind both Coosa and Chattooga.
After a whirlwind of excitement the night before, Rockmart coach Stephanie Wolfe was overwhelmed to see the team was hosting.
“My athletic director called me this morning and we were just beyond ecstatic,” Wolfe said. “We knew going in we wanted a seed of four or higher, and this is just huge for us.”